Finishing Touches

Some people call it the icing on the cake. Others call it finishing touches. It's those little gestures that happen after it is all said and done. Just when you think it simply can't get any better, it does. I call it grandparenting.


Pop-Pop and Emma have been playing a game for more than three years now. It's called, Who Has the Blankey? Emma has had this blankey since she was a baby. She is now six. This blankey brings comfort to her and brings a game at Pop-Pop's house. Emma will carry this blankey around the house and taunt Pop-Pop with it. She knows he wants it. Sometimes he gets it. It's all part of the game. Emma will get it back somehow and Pop-Pop will steal it again. This game has yet to lose its luster.


This year as Christmas ended, we all waved good-bye to Emma, Laish, Aunt June, and Uncle Aaron. And as the van headed down the road in the direction of Indiana, Pop-Pop snickered and snuck out the back door. Then reappeared. With the blankey. He had won this time. But being a most thoughtful Pop-Pop, he quickly texted Aaron to let him know and Emma quickly instructed her Daddy to turn around and retrieve the blankey.


It's these last minute games, these finishing touches that help grandchildren form lasting memories of grandparents. As if the gifts, and games, and special snacks, and trips to the barn aren't enough, there just has to be one more thing. Let's ice the cake.


The first part of our Christmas this year was spent at Grandma Long's house. As we packed our things for our next trip, Grandma pulled out a brand new box of animal crackers. She knows they are one of Isis' favorite snacks. Isis was giddy with excitement at the sight of them. It was just one more little thing before the trip was over. One more special thing.


Isis loves the snow. I should say, she loves to eat the snow. She could care less about snowmen, angels, or even sledding. But she will lay on her tummy and eat lots of it. Her cheeks will be rosy and wet and slightly frozen and she will keep on eating. As our time ended with Grammy and Pop-Pop, Chris and I were gathering our things. Pop-Pop snuck outside. He tends to do this frequently. He reappeared with a giant ball of snow in his hands for Isis to enjoy indoors, beside the wood stove. He wasn't going to let her get away without a finishing touch. Let's keep this going just a little bit longer.

I asked Grammy to pack Isis a lunch for the road. What she made was three baggies full of sandwiches and goodies. And each bag was donned with a picture of Dora and Boots. As if goldfish aren't enough to make a two year old content, it was a Grammy touch, as if to say, Let's take these memories on the road.

Some people make cupcakes. Some people ice them. A few may even add sprinkles. I tend to think grandparents do all of these things. Then dump a whole bag of chocolate chips on top.